30 THECUBAREVIEW 



AMERICAN HARDWARE IN CUBA 



PREFERENCE TO AMERICAN GOODS BECAUSE OF RECIPROCITY CLAUSE 

 AND NEARNESS OF AMERICAN PORTS 



In reply to a question as to the attitude of Cuban buyers toward American hardware, 

 as compared with similar goods from England and Germany, Mr. De Pool, a well-known 

 business man of Havana, made the following reply : 



"Most of the merchants and the people will buy wherever the price is the lowest, giv- 

 ing the preference to American goods, on account of the rebate allowed by the reciprocity 

 treaty between the United States and Cuba. This we do not have with other foreign 

 countries. 



"Even in cases where American hardware is a little higher in price, it is given the 

 preference on account of the nearness of American ports to Cuba. The breakage of goods 

 in transit from the United States to our island is very much less than in those from Ger- 

 many and England, which averages about fifteen per cent." 



In speaking of the proportion of American hardware used in Cuba, as against that 

 from other countries, Mr. De Pool said : "It is difficult to obtain any positive data 

 on this point, but, as a safe guess, I should say that the United States supplies fully 

 one-half. 



"Can American capital safely invest itself in Cuba, with an assurance of its future 

 safety, dependent on continued peace and prosperity? 



"I have no doubt of it. Conditions are now good, and will continue so. There 

 is also an ever-present possibility that Cuba may better herself by voluntarily coming 

 under American control. It is a great country, either for permanent residence or a 

 temporary visit." 



He makes the suggestion so often made that manufacturers, who desire to create 

 and maintain a trade with the Latin-American countries, should print an edition of 

 their catalogs in Spanish, or such parts of the same as refer to goods so exported. 

 In many cases, of course, it would not be necessary to have the entire catalog in that 

 language, as there are so many lines that would not find a ready introduction to Cuba 

 or Central or South America. 



"To make an impression on any of these countries, the merchants should be addressed 

 in their own tongue, as in most cases they do not read English, and will make no 

 attempt to study catalogs in that language." — From an interview in the Hardware 

 Dealers' Magazine, Nezv York. 



An Artistic Guide-Book the material is inexhaustible as the traveler 



will quickly acknowledge, for Cuba is a pic- 

 The annual folder of the United Rail- ture land, and bits of bewildering scenic 

 ways of Havana surpasses in both an ar- beauty are encountered everywhere. The 

 tistic and utilitarian sense all its attractive folder, in addition to its fine illustrations 

 predecessors. and descriptive text, gives tables of low- 

 It is full of the most excellent and satis- priced round-trip tickets and combination 

 fving half-tone and color illustrations of tours to all parts of the island and the 

 ail that is charming in Cuban scenery, and Isle of Pines which will suit all classes. 



fsLAND''oF''2uBA''oF THE LIVERPOOL & LONDON & GLOBE INSURANCE CO. 



This Company will issue Binders on risks in the Island of Cuba 

 at their New York oflice, 45 William Street. Tel., 3097 John. 



FIRE LOSS OF INCOME BOILER EXPLOSION 



FIRE AMD BOILER EXPLOSION FOLLOWING FIRE ENGINE BREAKDOWN 



Havana Office: 106 Cuba Street 



GERMAN KALI WORKS ^V^mpedra^o, Box^l007 



WE WILL SEND OUR BOOK FREE TO PLANTERS IN CUBA 



Ask Us What You Want — Cane, Tobacco, Coffee, Fruit or Any Other Crop 



